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A205

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
GENERAL SYNOD 2023
RESOLUTION

Resolution Number: A205

Subject: Water

Moved By:

Seconded By:

Be it resolved that this General Synod:

Affirm that all communities have the right to safe, clean, and sustainable drinking water.
Commit to ongoing advocacy to ensure access to safe drinking water for all communities in Canada and globally.
Recognize that we are called by the Baptismal Covenant and the Fifth Mark of Mission to safeguard the integrity of creation, including the waters.
Direct the Council of General Synod, its Councils, and Committees to immediately eliminate bottled water use for all meetings, except in locations where safe drinking water is unavailable.
Encourage Ecclesiastical Provinces, Dioceses, and Parishes to eliminate bottled water use for meetings, except in locations where safe drinking water is unavailable.

Source: Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee

Submitted By: Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice Coordinating Committee

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?

Yes No

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?

Yes No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

Water is not a commodity, but is rather necessary for the life of all people and all of God’s creation. Yet communities throughout Canada and around the world continue to lack access to clean, reliable drinking water.

Bottled water facilities continue to grow across Canada in order to ship to other countries, depleting aquifers and increasing drought conditions. Water for these facilities is mostly obtained for a small cost while selling for a great amount

Bottled water is mostly packaged in hard state plastic bottles, resulting in a significant carbon footprint produced through the manufacture, transportation, and disposal of plastic bottles. Although most Canadian communities have recycling programs which accept plastic bottles, many still end up in landfills and in waterways, taking centuries to break down. In 2019, General Synod passed Resolution A201, encouraging all parts of the Anglican Church of Canada to eliminate single-use plastic products in churches by 2023.

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION

(G)

In the normal course, an ordinary motion must be passed by a majority of the members of General Synod present and voting together.

Six members of General Synod may, prior to the question being put, require a vote by Orders, with a majority of each Order being necessary to pass.

If a question passes on a Vote by Orders, any six members (two from each of three different dioceses) may immediately before the next item of business require a vote to be taken by dioceses. A motion passes if a majority (or a tie) of dioceses vote in favour.

Source: Sections 4 and 5 of the Declaration of Principles and sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Rules of Order and Procedure.

Resolution A205